The ROG Ally X was one of the most exciting handhelds of the last few years — on paper. In practice, it was also one of the most frustrating. Not because the hardware wasn’t capable, but because it was shackled to Windows 11, an OS that never felt at home on a 7-inch screen. From clunky menus to constant updates and driver headaches, the Ally often felt like a beta test for a future that hadn’t arrived yet.
Now ASUS and Microsoft are back with the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, and the pitch is clear: same Windows foundation, but this time it’s been optimised with Xbox’s help to actually feel like a handheld Xbox instead of a shrunk-down laptop.
Without burying the lead, pre-orders start now with official launch set for 16th October 2025 which is really just a few weeks away. Pricing for the two is as follows:
- ROG Xbox Ally: AUD $999 RRP
- ROG Xbox Ally X: AUD $1,599 RRP
Pre-orders can be made at the Microsoft Store or the Asus eStore.
Now you might be asking why the $600 difference between the Xbox Ally X and the Xbox Ally and you’d be right to raise both eyebrows. That’s a significant chunck of change(enough to buy you a real, proper Xbox Series X) but there are significant technical differences between the two consoles.
The ROG Xbox Ally X isn’t just a spec bump — ASUS has gone back to the drawing board to fix the things that made the original Ally such a mixed bag. The most obvious upgrade is under the hood, with the ROG Xbox Ally X powered by AMD’s new Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor and the refreshed Ally running the Ryzen Z2 A.
Both chips promise more performance, but the real story is efficiency. The Xbox Ally X carries a massive 80Wh battery — double the size of the original — while the standard Xbox Ally gets a 60Wh unit. That means you can actually get through a proper gaming session without nervously eyeing the battery indicator.
But hardware alone wasn’t the problem last time. Windows was. ASUS and Xbox are promising a smarter, more console-like experience this time around called Xbox UI, with a dedicated Xbox button that launches Game Bar for quick access to performance states, captures, and your friends list. It’s a big change, that all but hides the Windows desktop and related bloatware thus greatly improving the performance and efficiency. This change could be huge and bring the Xbox Ally X into closer competition with the SteamDeck’s excellent SteamOS while still giving you access to all your different launchers like Steam, Epic and Ubisoft.
The Xbox Ally X has also been redesigned to feel more like an Xbox controller in your hands. Contoured grips, the familiar asymmetrical stick layout, and proper ABXY buttons make it feel instantly familiar, while new impulse triggers add more precise haptic feedback. It’s the kind of immersion you expect from a console, not a handheld PC.
Both models also share a 120Hz, 500-nit display with FreeSync Premium, so whether you’re grinding indies or pushing AAA blockbusters, you’ll get smooth, tear-free visuals. And for those who want to push things even further, the Xbox Ally X supports ASUS’s new XG Mobile dock, letting you hook up an RTX 5090 Laptop GPU for desktop-class performance at home.
In short, ASUS is finally addressing the sins of the first Ally: poor battery life, awkward ergonomics, and Windows being Windows. The Xbox Ally X is pitched as the handheld that redeems the concept, taking it one step further at realising the portable Xbox dream.
⚡ Our Take
The ROG Xbox Ally X isn’t just about more power — it’s about redemption. The original Ally proved that handheld PC gaming had potential, but Windows made it a laborious chore. If ASUS and Xbox have genuinely smoothed out the OS experience, the Ally X could be the first Windows handheld that feels like it belongs in your hands, not on your desk.
At $1,599, it’s still a big ask — you’re in gaming laptop territory. But if the Ally X finally delivers a seamless, console-like Windows handheld, it might just be worth it?
